right now there are puppy mills hiding dogs from the usda and the counties of cass, crow wing, morrison,todd countieswhe one gets insp. the dogs are at a different place houies hiding the puppies game one is at 33244 335th ave cushing at that plce todd county went out ther 4 years ago they said they didnt have any but they had 24 dogs i seen them my self at one time 3 were down at my place and another time i shot one alsakan dog they told cop i shot on there place infact it was in my garden got pix of itit was kiling my chickens how could dan see me shot it when he was 7miles a way at his moms place thats how good of leiers there are at june 9 at 6pm at long praire is the hering for the new puppy mill and she is control of the puppy mill on hy10 in cushing we need this one not to be open at all there mean to the dogs not feeding them we went up thier and feed them deworm them they said they didnt have worms but they were coming out of thier ass hole the name of pop. is danail woldoch or reata waldoch in todd county range 131 sec.35 and36 need help!!!

Good luck in your puppy quest!

My husband and I are in search of a Puggle from a reputable breeder. I did some research online and found a couple of places that seemed to say all of the right things. Does anyone know anything about Legacy Kennels? I went there today and my gut instinct was not a good one.

Really, do your research. How does it make sense to purchase from a facility with a variety of dogs anyway? Stop supporting this.

I also bought a puppy from cuddle me puppies in little falls and as soon as I pulled up I could tell it was a puppy mill from all the chicken barn looking things. Mary ann didn't let us hold our puppy before we bought him and once we got him home, he through up everywhere. Then he started pooping blood, I took him to our vet in Staples and she said he needed to be de-wormed again. I then called Mary ann saying that we loved our puppy but we just would like to bring him back. She said no, but she could help me resell him. I didn't trust her anymore as it already was so I just hung up and ended up bring our puppy to our local animal shelter. Also I paid with a credit card when we bought him and the name on my statement came up as Fletcher Creek Kenels.

I can't believe she is still in business. Is this not obviously a puppy mill??

thanks,
gary

Please DO NOT miskate a reputable breeder for a Puppy Mill. Puppy Mills are NOT breeders, they are NOT breeding for temperament, confirmation, health, or the general betterment of the breed. As for those of you who are STILL purchasing from these mills EVEN when you see the red flags..congratulate youselves on contributing to the disgusting people who make a living off of treating animals like crap. YOU just helped pay for more of thier monthly "business" expenses. It is YOUR job as a consumer to research and know what your buying. STOP trying to make the government regulate something that you should know better about. I live in this state and I work for a veterinary clinic, so I get to see many of these animals that you "just had to buy, to get them out of that horrible situation". You are not doing any favors to those animals by purchasing them, you're just giving the puppy mills more kennel space to "breed" and sell more dogs. And WHY WHY WHY would you give money for an animal you can't hold or touch?? Because of viruses???? COME ON PEOPLE, try reading about dogs, diseases, and vaccines, then tell me if you were really putting that puppy at risk by holding it. IF you want a certain breed, then do what the rest of us responsible people have to do....interview, research, and WAIT for a litter of healthy pups from a responsible Breeder. Dogs/animals are not to be purchased on a whim, they are not ipods. So again, STOP PURCHASING and there will be no more puppy mills. Responsible breeders will have contracts that state: they will take that dog back for any reason at any time, you WILL be required to spay/neuter it, its parents WILL have breed testing, genetic testing, CERF certificate and OFA certificates. Don't know what those are? LOOK THEM UP! and REMEMBER, IF you can't afford the vet, then don't get the pet.

Our family recently purchased a yorkie-poo puppy from Cuddle me puppies. At the time of purchase we were unaware it was a puppy mill. However, while we were there several RED FLAGS popped up that we noticed! Mary Ann Susalski is the breeder and would not let us hold, pet, or play with our puppy before we bought him. Also, the website listed 35+ puppies for sale but when we called her she said she only had 2 available. The rest were not ready to be put for sale. Apparently puppy mills are legal in Little Falls, MN and there are 3 known mills there. Please pass on this information to anyone you know. Maybe we can STOP people from buying from these places and stop the breeding of puppies that are not properly cared for and unsocialized!

DO NOT BUY PUPPIES/DOGS FROM THIS BREEDER

I am from Northern MN, a tiny community where dogs are generally dumped off. A few months ago all of the full blooded dogs in the area were stolen. They were disappearing weekly. Mine was one of them. He is a black English cocker spaniel with a white patch on his chest and chin,uncropped tail and not neutered. I was told he MIGHT have ended up in a puppy mill somewhere. I have been searching desperately for him. He is my 13 year olds best buddy! If anyone out there knows of any other small or large puppy mills in Northern MN I'd greatly appreciate the info so I could check them over and see if my dog happens to be there. We NEED to get him back. I am offering a $1000 reward for his return. Please contact me at karaanne@paulbunyan.net if you have any info that might be helpful in this case!

My husband and I just adopted a 6 year old female yorkie-poo from an animal rescue farm in Northern Minnesota. The rescue farm had just rescued a large number of pupies and dogs from a puppy mill in Little Falls, Minnesota. The dog that we rescued was used for breeding. She is a terrified dog, but with lots of love and attention, we hope to bring her around. I don't know for sure which puppy mill it is, but I have an idea it is either Cuddlemepuppies or Happy Tails. They are both in the Little Falls area. Please do not get a puppy from them! Our little Winnie is coming around but we can tell she was sooo neglected, and probably physically abused.

As a member of our local humane society, we had to see first-hand the result of what we suspect is a puppy mill. Two small female dogs, a Yorkie and a Maltese, were dumped on someone's front lawn in a small kennel, terrified and matted in their own feces. These dogs were going to be euthanized because they were unapproachable with fear, but a couple of volunteers took them in to rehabilitate them. They were shaved down to the skin because of the heavily matted fur, and treated for raging bacterial intestinal infections (probably from trying to clean their paws). The Yorkie later tested strongly positive for heartworm. A little digging in our area led to the fact that a family in Big Bend, MN is breeding these dogs and trucking them out to area pet stores. Any help would be appreciated in getting these people to stop breeding and selling these ill dogs.

Its just plain misguided to lump all breeders into the BAD category. Its important to distinquish between a volume breeder who breeds for the commercial market - the yorki-poo's and morkies and the purebreeds that look nothing like their standards - and the ethical reputable hobby breeders who do their best to preserve and improve their chosen breeds.

This bill would require a license for a person who possesses 20 or more adult intact dogs or cats for the purposes of breeding IF they produce 5 or MORE LITTERS of puppies or kittens per year!!!!! This would be passing an ANIMAL MILL BILL here in MINNESOTA if not worded differently. The average intact dog or cat has 2 litters per year. Animals should not be forced..to do this..YEAR AFTER YEAR. You could have 19 dogs or cat, sister have 19, uncle have 19, and you are following the law. Animal mill (just spread out)!!!!!!!

On March 4th 2010 I called and made an appt. to check out some of the puppies that she had on the website. I was originally interested in a Morkie puppy but was told that the one she had on the website was sold and the others were not old enough to let go. I then asked if she had any Yorkie Poo's and she brought a few up front and put them in the windows. I was told that I could only view them from the window and was not able to interact with them for virus purposes. I thought this was strange and then was asked if the dog would be around small children? I told her that I did have grandkids and she suggested I go with a little larger dog, so then she proceded to show me these so called Yorkie Poo's that were brother and sister and were 4months old. I thought they looked scared and really shy and I was a little concerned so she wanted to prove to me that they would interact with other dogs so she went and got some other puppies and put them in the window with them. I still a little hesitant and so she started to play with them herself still not letting us touch them. I was starting to feel bad for them since they were older and not adopted yet. MaryAnn then started talking about the price and that if I was willing to take them both she would give me a deal on them. After I agreed and signed the papers and paid for them she quick gave them a bath and handed them over to us. After returning home with them they were shaking so bad and had a terrible smell to them. I then took them to my own local groomer to have them rebathed and groomed. I was told by several of them that these were NOT Yorkie Poo's that these were Daschund/Poodle puppies. I then called MaryAnn when I got home and started to talk to her about the situation and was suddenly disconnected. MaryAnn did return my call and I was told that I could not bring these puppies back to her and that she would try to help me sell them. I did tell her that I was misled and this is not the breed of dog that I wanted to purchase. I'm a really concerned about how she is running this business. Please let me know how you would proceed with attempting an investigation on her.

Last summer, my boyfriend and I had been looking to get a small dog. While searching different places to buy a dog, (I would never buy from a pet store). I found the website for cuddlemepuppies, I am an animal lover, but knew nothing about puppy mills. I've heard the term but really had no idea what it is. I do now. We drove from st cloud mn, to little falls to go take a look at puppies. When we first got there it was creepy, the front of her "house" is set up like a pet stores, with little glass boxes with the dogs all set up, they had kennels, leashes, beds, clothes, collars, and just about everything you'd think to have at a pet store. So anyways, i had to use the bathroom from driving that whole way. I asked her if I could use hers, she was quite flustered and led me back into her house, behind the wall that said employees only. They had the back set up like a pet groomers, big tables and clippers, and sinks and such. Oddly inside the house the lady had not one sign of dogs, instead a giant parrot. This i found really odd, that if this lady had puppies why wouldn't she have a dog? Anyways, my boyfriend and I wanted a yorkie, poodle, or a yorkie poo. (when i called she asked what i was looking for and that when i set up an appointment she would let have the puppies ready) again, this lady would not let me touch, hold or even play with this puppy. Obviously I have such a loving heart for animals I instantly fell in love with the one she had taken out for me. At the time I didn't have the whole amount of money I needed for my puppy, so i put a deposit down. And she took a collar and put it on the puppy and with my name and number. Two days later she called wondering if i was coming back for my pup. I said yes and made an appointment the next day we went and picked her up, first: the dog I paid for and left with, was not the same dog i put a deposit down, I remember specifically her saying something about my dog having such true colors, and one that she had previously taken out of the cage had a lot of brown in her black and it wasn't as dark, thats the one i left with. I don't mind now obviously because I love my baby. Second: she had told us that, she would send home food and milk replacer. A. i know enough about dogs to know that if this dog is leaving it shouldn't need milk replacer. she told me that my puppy was 8 wks old. B. when i got my papers for my puppy, it said she was 12 wks old. Third: she said since moving from one food to another, my dog may puke she may not like the new food, may not eat. I really believe that there was something weird about it, and the "wormer" she sent home, my dog would not take it. I stopped it immediately and got some from the vet. this lady Mary Ann needs to be stopped. I would love to break in and steal all of her dogs, they do not need to be treated like this. After reading this I am lucky enough to have my dog healthy, with no Girdia or anything like that. However, my dog does have anxiety problems, typical of puppy mill dogs, and when i first got my puppy she would not go to the bathroom outside unless she found cement. Would not go in the grass, very strange. My dog cocoa also is very food territorial. She growls at even my cat if she gets too close. this also, is typical with puppy mill dogs. I am glad I have rescued my puppy, however, I will NEVER buy another dog from a breeder. this lady needs to be stopped!

8,000,000 + dogs and cats are euthanized EVERY year due to overbreeding. Why there are not more controls in the puppy mill industry is beyond me. Do your homework and don't buy from mills or pet stores unless you know where these dogs come from. Check out the states that have severe puppy mill problems. Calif is trying to close many puppy mills there. Its a no brainer and something should be done in every state. Why are people still amazed that many dogs that come from puppy mills or pet stores are problem dogs? Its not the dogs - its the breeders. WAKE UP, AMERICA and do something about the overpopulation of dogs and cats!!!

Animalfolksmn.org has great information and will also collect petitions and deliver them directly to the capital. Lots of great organizations out there trying to put a stop to puppy/kitty mills. Log on and check it out!

I just bought a cavachon puppy from this place in Rochester, Mn. I have a cousin who bought 1 from here & has told me quite a bit of info, most of it being very scary. Wondering if anyone knows anything about this webpage. I am concerned if I have made a good choice doing business here. So far, we havent had any problems. Supposedly this guy buys puppies from the Amish & he has been classified as a high class puppy mill broker.

www.columbusdogconnection.com

hello, i have looked at the website for cuddle me puppies for several months now. i always found it quite unusual that these people always have their pups dressed up, in the photos of pups for sale. only last week did i decide to call the humane society, to speak to an investigator about this place , in little falls, mn. i was told that he'd be unable to help me with all this because i hadnt actually been at the location. hoever, he did give me info on who may be of help {with this possible{?}abuse.)......please email YOUR concerns to "animalfolksmn.org", or write to them at: 1043 grand ave., #115, st.paul, mn 55105. please do as soon as you can!1 THANK YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't fall for it - educate via online research, skip the drive - and save yourself alot of heartache.

OH MY GOD! I CAN'T BELIEVE I DIDN'T CHECK THIS OUT BEFORE I WENT TO BUY MY PRECIOUS COCKAPOO ON 10/3/09. I AM SO NERVOUS NOW THERE MIGHT BE SOMETHING WRONG WITH HER! I SAW THE WEBSITE ON LINE AND WENT OUT THE NEXT DAY TO GET HER. WHEN I GOT THERE I THOUGHT IT WAS A LITTLE STRANGE ALSO THAT I COULDN'T HOLD HER, BUT MARY ANN CONVINCED ME IT WAS FOR A VERY GOOD REASON. ALSO I PAID HER IN CASH AND AFTER I LEFT I GOT A CALL FROM HER SAYING I WAS SHORT AND I KNEW I WASN'T BUT DID TELL HER I WOULD SEND HER THE $20 I OWE, BUT NOW AFTER READING THIS I AM SO NOT SENDING HER ANYTHING!!!! THE ONLY THING I NOTICED WRONG WITH MY PUPPY WHEN I FIRST LEFT WITH HER WAS SHE SOUNDED LIKE SHE HAD SOMETHING IN HER LUNGS. BUT AFTER A DAY SHE HAS SOUNDED FINE! I WOULD NEVER HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO A PUPPY MILL IF I WOULD HAVE KNOWN! I AGREE, THEY MUST BE STOPPED!

On 10/10/09 We went to check on a puppy at Cuddle me puppies. We were called two hours before we were to meet by the lady Mary Ann asking if we were still coming to see the puppies and we told her yes. We drove two hour to get there. When we got there we were met by Mary Ann and were also directed to the store front like room that had two glass window like areas that had two puppies in each area. The puppy we were looking for was going to be for our 11 year daughter. Her first dog and she was very excited. But we walked in and we noticed that the puppies weren't very active and when we approached the window the puppies shyed away like they were frightened. We asked if we could look at them so this Mary Ann went around the back and took out the one puppy that we were interested in. It took her a very long time to finally come out with the dog and when we asked to hold it she told us we couldn't because she guaranteed them free of virus and if she allowed people to hold them they could catch disease from the people. We thought this was really odd and told her then that we wanted to think about it and talk it over with our family before making a decision. We left thinking this woman is covering something up and something weird is going on. If you are buying a puppy you want to interact with it and check it over to see if it is okay and works out with your family. What legitimate breeder doesn't want a family to interact with the puppy and check things out. Now we understand why. When we called this Mary Ann back and told her we wouldn't be coming back to buy her puppy and how we thought it was very strange that she wouldn't let us hold the puppy before buying it she got really mad on the phone and slammed the phone down. This is definately a puppy mill. This Mary Ann needs to be stopped. Beware.

I was shocked to read the other posts about Cuddle Me Puppies in Little Falls, MN, but not surprised. I had a very similar experience. We went to this place on Feb. 25 to get a puppy for my birthday. This was our first pet, but I thought the "store" look and puppies behind glass seemed odd. We also were not allowed to hold any puppies. I did fall in love with our Winnie, so we bought her that day. She was diagnosed with Giardia a few days later. My boyfriend sent Mary Anne, the owner, an email immediately. We were upset since there was a "health guarantee" given. She called me a couple weeks later and yelled at me! She refused to help, except to say that we could just bring Winnie back with everything we bought. At this point we had already fallen in love with her, so that was out of the question. I'm just happy we saved her from the puppy mill!

On August 21st I went to what I thought was a good breeder. Little did I know. I purchased a cockopoo puppy from a lady named Mary Ann. The first thing I thought was odd is, she called me over 2 hrs before I was supposed to be there. She asked are you still coming and I said yes, but it takes me 2hrs to get there. When I got there she met us outside and directed us to this room which looked like a puppy store. I instantly looked over to the glass cage and notice 2 puppies. I asked to hold them, she replied no. I asked why, she said that she guarantees her puppies virus free. I thought ok. So I picked out my puppy. She then was in such a hurry to get my $200. Once I did that I was able to hold him. We named him Jasper. On our 2hr trip home, we noticed a few things. I asked my husband, why is his paws so yellow. Then he got sick. It looked like he had just ate. I then said to my husband. We better take him to our own vet. We took him on August 29th. That following Monday we got his results. He was diag. with having Giardia. This is a major infection in his small intestines and colon. I asked my vet what causes this. She said that it is from dirty water with feces in it and walking in other dogs feces. I was so angry. I called Mary Ann and she said that she was not going to help me in anyway. I have reported her. I just hope no one ever buys anything for her. Think twice.....

A friend is looking at getting a boxer pup from http://boxersmn.homestead.com. Anyone know if these guys are legit?

We bought a dog from a person who, after a few conversations started to make us question her credibility. We were so far into the transaction by then and very excited about getting the pup we moved forward and didn't listen to our gut. She doesn't show up as a broker, which is what I think she is, as a breeder or etc. She says she breeds her dogs twice a year. We got the last pup. There were ads running for three weeks after that and again about two weeks later. I questioned her and she said it was her cousin - he didn't have a cell phone she he uses her number. I haven't seen her ad again altho I bet she has a new number. My puppy is not well, red mange, weak, limpy back leg, not socialized at all. We're working with a vet whom we trust, and trying to gain her trust but even after 5 months she runs from us and does not want to be close to us. All I have is suspicions about her early life and it's not good. It has taken the JOY out of having the dog we waited to get after our retirement. We have had 3 of these dogs over the years and this one presents new challenges for us. It's so sad to see her want to come to us but something just won't let her. She's smart-really smart.

Yes, it is a puppy mill. I drove there on 6/8/09 and bought a puppy. I was excited to suprise my 9yr old. I walked in to see a store front like a small petstore. The dogs I wanted 2 look at were in a window such as petstores have. I picked a dog asked to hold it and was told no because people bring diseses in and give to dogs. I thought it was weird, but in all the excitement bought the dog. I get home and 4 days later just thinking the weirdness and the big steel kennels in back made me wonder. I did a search on Fletcher creek kennels in Little falls, MN. What I found was crazy and so sad. These dogs need to be saved. I'm glad I was able to save mine his name is Buster. Please, someone help. I reported them 2 stop puppy mills.org and did not hear a word back.

Funny they are what brought me to this page as well. I think they must be. If you look at the number of breeds they have, this is not someone who is just breeding a few dogs. If you search the list of commercial breeders, there is one in Little Falls (Rachel SK9 Country). Chances are they changed their name.

Does anyone have any information on Cuddle Me Puppies in Little Falls, MN? Are they a puppy mill? I was looking online at some of their puppies, but I don't want to get one if they are a mill.

I have Cocker Spaniels. About a year prior to all the publicity I sold a beautiful AKC registrable female puppy "Suzy" to a Husband and Son looking for a gift for the Wife/Mom. It seemed to be the perfect home with all the right answers given and the puppy was placed with this family. Imagine my Horror when my Daughters came to my home talking about Gary McDuffee and I recognized his name. I raise my puppies in my home with all the love and attention they deserve and more. There was no way to get her back and all I was told was Sorry by everyone we contacted. To this day it breaks my heart. These kind of people do not just deceive people they sell there puppies to, but also the people they lie to to get there breeding dogs. I had not had a litter of puppies since until this month, and they will not be leaving my home with AKC registration papers. I also try to have a google, yahoo, ect search done on the people, there phone #, & address to see if they pop up any red flags. It is not just buyers beware. Caring breeders need to watch out for these scamming puppy mill owners to.

I HAVE HAD PETS, BOTH DOGS AND CATS, ALL OF MY LIFE, STARTING WHEN I GREW UP ON A FARM. SINCE MOVING TO THE TWIN CITIES I'VE ADOPTED 4 DIFFERENT DOGS FROM SHELTERS. I HAVE A FENCED IN YARD AND HAVE LOVED HAVING FURRY FRIENDS LIVING WITH ME. THEY HAVE ALL BEEN 'HOUSE DOGS', NOT A DOG THAT LIVED OUTSIDE IN A DOG HOUSE. I CAN'T IMAGINE THE TORTURE THAT ANIMALS IN PUPPY MILS, ETC HAVE TO ENDURE. I RECENTLY WAS READING SOME HORROR STORIES AND WATCHING VIDEOS ABT THESE ANIMALS ON THE INTERNET. SOME ARE SO TERRIBLE THAT I COULDN'T EVEN FINISH READING/WATCHING THEM. THERE ARE ENUF DOGS AND CATS THAT NEED HOMES IN THIS WORLD - WITHOUT PUPPY MILLS ADDING TO THE SITUATION.

I would like to see our goverment pass a law that no pet stores are allowed to sell any kind of live animals. I would also like to see the people who do these things that are horrible get jail time instead of fines that they can afford to pay after selling many unhealthy dogs and puppies. These poor animals deserve better and if that means they are too ill to go on putting them to sleep is a better way. I have loved every pet I have ever owned. None of which came from a pet store. If pet stores can no longer sell pets this would put these kind of places out of business. Pet stores should just sell food and needed things for pets. It makes me sick and I'm haunted when I see things on Oprah or the news about these mills. I used to raise poodles and in fact gave someone their money back when I found out the home was no good. Maybe we can get Pamela Anderson to help with this. She is a true PETA person. I have to admit I would like to hire someone to do something awful to these people. I will pray for the future.

We bought our puppy from Country Kennels www.mixedbreedpups.com. Our precious puppy died after 7 months. Looking on their site they have 250 puppies and 75 female dogs if you count all of the links. It's horrible. While we cannot prove our puppy died, as Lucy claims, from a result of this mill, we can prove she had kennel cough when we first purchased her and her immune system was never up to snuff. They never allow any visitor to come on their place to see the puppy or the parents. Alot of red flags we should have listened to. We loved our puppy so much and are so heartbroken. I never want to experience something like this again!

The "Puppy Mill Bill" simply states that "Puppy Mills" should be outlawed in every state. A puppy mill, for this purpose, will be defined as:
Any individual, group, or business that produces a puppy, and sells or gives the puppy to another party to resell.
By signing this petition, you agree with the above definition and the outlaw of all puppy mills in the United States. This petition will be introduced with the "Puppy Mill Bill" to congress, once the required amount of signatures are obtained.

i think that animal mills are illegal no matter what, license or not.look at what the animal mills are doing the dogs and cats, it is absolute cruelty. i can not believe that in order to have a legal animal mill you have to have a license, forget the damn license, these are animals, gods beloved animals.even without animal mills, people are cruel to animals in their own homes. the world to get rid of animal mills, these animals were not put on this earth to be tortured and killed.ALL ANIMAL MILLS LICENSE OR NON LICENSED SHOULD BE SHUT DOWN FOR GOOD....

I work for a newspaper, and I have placed many ads in our classifieds for puppies for sale.....as I was looking through the list of "brokers" in Minnesota, I recognized one of the names as a customer that placed "suspicious" ads for puppies with our paper. I am happy to say that she has not placed an ad with us for about 2 years now, but I am sure that this low-life individual is probably still in business, and it sickens me. As a pet owner, I treat my animals with love and respect, and as members of our family, and they are happy and healthy....the puppy mills need to be shut down, and pet stores need to be banned from selling companion animals from "mills", as EVERY dog and cat needs to be treated with love and humanity, and no animal should be subjected to a life of filth, pain, and despair that "mill" animals have to endure.

I think many Americans like to tell themselves that they can't do anything about Puppy Mills because they're aren't any close enough to them. I myself thought that the puppy mills in Georgia had to be out in the country, far north or south of Atlanta. I told myself that they couldn't possibly be right here, so close to Atlanta. I looked over the list, and I was disguted and horrified to find that there is not just one near me, but there are several! I live in Austell, and the closet registered puppy mill is literally 10 miles from my house! There are others too that are no more than 45 minutes from me! Alpharetta, Douglas, Atlanta, Kennesaw (I work in Kennesaw!!!), Woodstock, Powder Springs!! I had no idea that they were so close and literally in my backyard!

Then we can discuss the "Dealers".

I also wish that Mr. Frist's contributions to animal cruelty would be more widely publicized, as I certainly never heard about it (I live in NY). How ironic that Mr. "Right to Life," who calls legalized abortion a "holocaust of the unborn," apparently has no trouble with perpetrating a holocaust on innocent, defenseless animals which have fully developed consciousness and feel pain.

I came across this site while looking for more information on the"puppy mill" that has recently been approved in minnesota.While scrolling down the names of licensed breeders and brokers in rural minnesota I was horrified to see two names that are on my dogs registration papers.Apparently a broker bought my dog from a puppy mill and then in turn sold him to me.I will now be doing more research to see how many violations these people have and exactly what kind of environment my puppy came from.How could I have been so naive? Please do not make the same mistake that I did.I will only be going to rescues from now on.

Check out two of the best websites out there for the animals... www.lcanimal.org & www.peta.com

Yes, there are tons of unregistered puppy mills out there. I know of a woman in the Twin Cities who basically has a small mill in her home. She tells her neighbors they are pets, but her basement is filled with dog crates. The dogs are let out twice a day to do their business, but are otherwise ignored. Half of them have had their vocal chords removed because their barking was annoying. The main way she sells these dogs is through newspaper ads.

The pictures provided and the list of puppy mill operators are overwhelming. How can we make more people aware of these travesties, and keep these abuses in the forefront of public awareness? I fear that things will return to "business as usual" after the McDuffee legal action ends. The scale of these operations and the suffering involved are mind-boggling. Change will only come through legislated action. Contact your legislators and keep the pressure on!!

Debra mentioned the unregistered puppymills. I wonder how many of those ads in the Strib and Pioneer Press are them.

People need to be reminded that there are mill being run without a USDA license. There is also the problem of "backyard breeders", which is essentially just a smaller scale version of a puppy mill.

We must unite and take a stand for these unfortunate beings and bring down these 'millers and classB monsters.

Thanks for posting this. I think I may start sending some letters.